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LeBron: Basketball community not sad about losing Trump's viewership

Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James doesn't believe President Donald Trump's refusal to watch NBA games is a significant loss for the league.

"I really don't think the basketball community (is) sad about losing his viewership, him viewing the game. ... That's all I gotta say," he said, according to Mark Medina of USA Today. "I'm not going to get into a - because I already know where this could go, where it could lead to tomorrow for me.

"I'm not going to get into it but I think our game is in a beautiful position and we have fans all over the world."

Trump remarked earlier Wednesday that he turns off games when he sees personnel kneeling during the national anthem, calling the protests "disgraceful" and "not acceptable." Nearly all players and coaches across the league have knelt for the "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the season's restart as a manner of protesting systemic racism and police brutality toward the Black community.

"I hope everyone, no matter the race, no matter the color, no matter the size, sees what leadership that we have at the top in our country," James continued. "And understand that November is right around the corner and it's a big moment for us as Americans. ... But the game will go on without his eyes on it.

"I can sit here and speak for all of us that love the game of basketball: we could care less."

James is not the only person within the NBA to dismiss Trump's recent criticism. Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers said earlier Wednesday that "justice is on our side" in response to Trump.

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